Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar on Wednesday announced the appointment of four electoral roll observers across all 14 districts of the state to ensure a smooth and transparent revision of electoral rolls for 2026. This comes a day after the draft list of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was published on Tuesday, showing the deletion of 24.08 lakh names and triggering opposition from political parties.

MG Rajamanikyam, IAS, has been assigned Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. K Biju, IAS, will oversee Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram. Tinku Biswal, IAS, will be the observer for Kottayam, Idukki, and Ernakulam, and Dr K Vasuki, IAS, is assigned Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Alappuzha.

The first visit will be during the notice period, when claims and objections to the electoral rolls are invited, the statement said.

The second visit will be held during the disposal of claims and objections by Electoral Registration Officers, while the third visit will coincide with the verification of Booth Level Officers' work, printing of supplements and final publication of the electoral rolls.

During their initial visit, the observers will convene meetings with MPs, MLAs and representatives of recognised political parties to hear their complaints and concerns and to ensure their active participation in the revision exercise.

A separate meeting with the general public will also be organised after giving prior intimation of the date and time, it said.

The EROs will scrutinise reports and explanations submitted by District Election Officers in cases where additions or deletions exceed one per cent compared to the district average, or three per cent in any Assembly constituency.

Kelkar said all necessary measures are being taken at every level to ensure that the electoral roll revision is carried out without grievances, ensuring that no eligible voter is excluded and that all shortcomings are addressed before the final publication, the statement added.